Thinking about raising poultry but don’t have the space for chickens? Quail might be your answer. These little birds are becoming increasingly popular for small-scale poultry farming, and for good reason. They’re practical, rewarding, and a great option for beginners, even if you only have a small space and live in a variable climate.
Compared to chickens, raising quail has some clear advantages. They need significantly less space, mature much faster (meaning you’ll get eggs and meat sooner), and are much quieter. No early morning crowing to upset the neighbors!
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about raising quail, from setting up their housing and choosing the right feed to managing breeding, health, and even the legal aspects. We’ll also cover seasonal care and how to incubate and hatch quail eggs, so you can start your own flock from scratch.
Why raise quail? Benefits and considerations
Thinking about adding quail to your backyard flock? Here are some of the benefits and considerations.
Space efficiency
Compared to chickens, quail don’t need much room to roam. You can raise quail in a space that’s only about one square foot per bird. Chickens, on the other hand, need about eight square feet per chicken.
This makes quail a good choice for small-scale poultry farming in urban or backyard homesteads.
Economic advantages
Quail start laying eggs much earlier than chickens — usually between six and eight weeks, as opposed to six months or more for chickens.
You can also potentially make a profit by selling quail eggs and meat. Quail eggs are considered a delicacy and bring a good price at market.
Starting a quail flock is relatively inexpensive.
Other benefits
Quail are quieter than chickens, which could make them a better choice if you live in an area with noise restrictions.
They’re also hardy birds that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and they’re easy to process for meat.
Setting Up Your Quail Coop: Housing and Environment
When it comes to housing quail, you can choose to keep them indoors or outdoors.
For indoor quail housing, many people use vertical quail cages, which allow you to keep several quail in a relatively small space. Outdoor options include quail pens and hutches.
No matter whether you keep your quail indoors or out, the most important thing is to provide a secure, well-ventilated, and dry environment. If you’re keeping them outdoors, predator-proof housing is essential.
Coop Design and Essentials
The ideal quail coop will be secure, well-ventilated, and dry. Quail don’t roost like chickens, and they don’t need nesting boxes, so you can skip those features.
A small prefabbed chicken pen or rabbit hutch surrounded by an exterior run measuring about 4′ x 6′ is a good size for a small covey of quail.
Good hygiene and regular cleaning are essential for preventing diseases in your quail flock.
Enrichment and Safety
Quail can get bored in their coop, so providing bedding and toys can help enrich their environment. You can give them dust baths, grass clippings, or even just shiny objects to peck at.
Quail are also more prone to drowning than chickens, so make sure their water source isn’t too deep.
Incubating and Hatching Quail Eggs
If you want to grow your quail flock quickly, you’ll probably want to incubate and hatch some eggs. Here’s what you should know.
Egg Selection and Storage
When you’re selecting eggs for hatching, look for eggs that are normally shaped and sized. Discard any that are cracked or dirty.
If you’re not putting the eggs directly into the incubator, you’ll want to store them properly. The best temperature range for quail egg storage is 55–65°F, and you shouldn’t keep them longer than a week before you incubate them.
Incubator Setup and Management
When you’re setting up your incubator, make sure you can control the temperature and humidity. The ideal temperature range for quail eggs is 99.5°F – 100.5°F. Quail eggs also need more humidity than chicken eggs: aim for 45–55%.
It’s always a good idea to put a backup thermometer inside the incubator in case the built-in one isn’t working properly.
If you’ve ordered eggs, let them rest for 24 hours after they arrive before putting them into the incubator.
The Incubation Process
The incubation process has several stages, and it’s important to monitor the eggs throughout. You can candle the eggs to check for viability before you put them in the incubator and again during incubation.
Once the eggs start hatching, it’s best not to intervene unless you absolutely have to.
Post-Hatching Care
After the chicks hatch, leave them in the incubator until they’re dry and fluffy. Then, you can move them to a brooder.
Raising Quail Chicks: Brooding and Early Care
Quail chicks need a warm, safe space for the first few weeks of life. Here’s how to set up their brooder, feed them, and keep them healthy.
Setting Up the Brooder
A well-designed brooder is essential for raising healthy quail chicks. You’ll need a heat source, ideally a heat lamp, to maintain the proper temperature.
The temperature in the brooder should be around 95°F during the first week, then decrease by 5°F each week for the first month. It’s important to monitor the temperature at chick level, so place a thermometer where the chicks spend their time.
Feeding and Watering Chicks
Quail chicks have specific dietary needs. Look for feed with a protein content of around 28% to support their rapid growth.
Water can be a hazard for quail chicks, as they can easily drown in deep waterers. Use a smaller quail waterer, or place aquarium stones in the bottom of a chicken waterer, to prevent tragic accidents. For the first few days, scatter feed on paper towels to make it easily accessible.
Hygiene and Health
Cleanliness is crucial for preventing disease in quail chicks. Spot clean the brooder multiple times a day to remove droppings and spilled feed. Change the bedding about once a week, depending on the number of chicks you have.
Keep a close eye on your chicks for any signs of illness, such as lethargy, ruffled feathers, or diarrhea. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing serious health problems.
Feeding and Watering Adult Quail
Adult quail need a high-protein diet to stay healthy. The exact amount of protein they need depends on their age and whether they are breeding. Generally, though, quail need to eat food that contains between 22% and 30% protein.
You’ll want to select feed based on the quail’s life stage. Chicks need a feed with 25-30% protein until they are six weeks old. After that, you can switch them to an adult feed that has 20-22% protein.
You may also want to give your quail some supplements. Crushed oyster shell or cuttlebone can help them get enough calcium. You can also provide them with small stones or grit, which aids in digestion.
When it comes to water, quail-specific waterers are ideal. Make sure the water is always clean and fresh.
Quail Health and Disease Prevention
Like all poultry, quail are susceptible to certain illnesses. Here’s a quick guide to some common quail diseases, how to spot them, and how to prevent them.
Common Quail Diseases
Some of the diseases that can affect quail include:
- Coccidiosis. A parasitic disease of the intestinal tract.
- Ulcerative Enteritis. Also known as Quail Disease, this bacterial infection can cause high mortality rates in young birds.
- Worms. Several types of worms can infest quail, leading to poor growth and other health problems.
Signs of Illness
Keep an eye out for these signs that your quail might be sick:
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Ruffled feathers
- Unusual vocalizations
Prevention Strategies
The best way to keep your quail healthy is to prevent disease in the first place. Here are some important strategies:
- Practice excellent hygiene. Keep their living space clean and dry. Change bedding regularly to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and parasites.
- Use diatomaceous earth. This natural substance can be added to their feed as a preventative measure against worms.
- Add probiotics to their water. Stressful events, like relocation or extreme weather, can weaken their immune systems. Adding probiotics to their water during these times can help boost their gut health and immunity.
Breeding Quail: Increasing Your Flock
If you’re looking to expand your quail flock, breeding is the way to go. The basics are pretty straightforward. You’ll want a ratio of one male for every four to six females. This ensures good fertility without stressing the hens too much from over-mating.
Your breeding setup should be simple but functional. A separate pen or area is essential to prevent unwanted crosses with other quail varieties. Make sure the space is clean, dry, and protected from predators. Provide plenty of hiding spots and nesting materials like straw or pine shavings. Quail hens prefer to lay their eggs in secluded areas.
Proper nutrition is critical for breeding quail. A balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals is a must. Consider a commercial game bird feed formulated for breeders. Supplementing with fresh greens and insects can also boost their overall health and reproductive success.
Finally, maintaining 14-16 hours of artificial lighting per day can stimulate egg production, especially during the shorter days of the year.
Legal considerations and record-keeping
Before you start raising quail, it’s important to check with your city, county, and state to make sure it’s legal to raise them where you live. Some municipalities have restrictions on the number of birds you can raise, while others may have outright bans.
It’s also a good idea to keep detailed records related to your quail. At a minimum, you should keep track of hatch dates, egg production, feed costs, and any quail deaths. Detailed records will help you manage your flock and spot any potential problems.
Consider using spreadsheets or a digital app to keep track of all the data.
Raising quail year-round
The climate has a big impact on raising quail successfully. You’ll need to adjust your quail care as the seasons change.
Here are some tips for seasonal quail care:
- Winter: Insulate your quail coop to keep them warm. You can use hay, straw, or even old blankets. Block any drafts to prevent chills.
- Summer: Quail need shade to avoid overheating. Provide plenty of shaded areas in their run. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
- Rainy Season: If you live in an area with a rainy season, elevate your quail cages off the ground to prevent flooding and the spread of disease.
Problems You Might Face When Raising Quail
Raising quail isn’t always easy. Many quail farmers jokingly call them “little kamikaze birds” because they can be kind of dumb and often seem to try to hurt themselves, especially when they’re young.
Some health problems to watch out for include:
- Coccidiosis
- Ulcerative Enteritis (also known as Quail Disease)
- Worms
- Feather Pecking
- Egg Problems
- Fly Strike
You can prevent many of these problems with good hygiene, proper feeding, and careful observation. I also like to add probiotics to their water during stressful periods, like when they’re molting or when the weather changes drastically. It seems to help keep them healthy and happy.
In Closing
Raising quail is a practical and rewarding option, especially if you’re interested in small-scale poultry farming. They’re a great choice for beginners, they don’t need a lot of space, and they can thrive in a variety of climates. But, like any animal, quail need proper care and management to stay healthy and productive.
If you’re interested in starting your own quail flock, here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
- Start with 5-10 Coturnix quail.
- Use incubators for hatching eggs.
- Provide a high-protein, balanced diet.
- Keep track of your flock’s health and production rates.
Raising quail can be a fun and fulfilling experience. Why not give it a try?